Debswana, BITC team up for major machinery repair centre
Friday, August 02, 2024 | 240 Views |
Talking partnerships: Moakufi PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO
The initiative comes in response to the realisation that despite Botswana’s status as a prominent mining hub, Debswana has been spending billions of pula on machinery repairs in South Africa. The establishment of a local repair and maintenance centre aims to keep these funds within the country, fostering economic growth and creating job opportunities.
The groundwork for this initiative was laid in 2020 when Debswana and BITC signed a Memorandum of Understanding formalising their commitment to explore and develop opportunities that would enhance Botswana’s industrial capabilities and reduce dependency on external services.
Whilst celebrating milestones in inclusivity, with notably P5 billion awarded to vulnerable groups, the report sounds a 'siren' on a dangerous and growing trend: the ballooning use of micro-procurement. That this method, designed for small-scale, efficient purchases, now accounts for a staggering 25% (P8 billion) of total procurement value is not a sign of agility, but a 'red flag'. The PPRA’s warning is unequivocal and must be...